China's reaction to the 2008 Kosovo declaration of independence

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Kosovo's declaration of independence from Serbia was enacted on Sunday, 17 February 2008 by a unanimous vote of the Assembly of Kosovo. [1] All 11 representatives of the Serb minority boycotted the proceedings. [2] International reaction was mixed, and the world community continues to be divided on the issue of the international recognition of Kosovo. The People's Republic of China's reaction to the 2008 Kosovo Declaration of Independence is of firm opposition.

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Reaction

People's Republic of China (PRC)

In February 2008, the Chinese Foreign Ministry made a statement stressing that the PRC "expresses grave concern" over Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence. The Minister added that: "The resolution of the Kosovo issue bares [ sic ] on peace and stability of the Balkan region, the fundamental norms governing international relations as well as the authority and role of the UNSC. China always believes that a plan acceptable to both Serbia and Kosovo through negotiations is the best way to resolve this issue. The unilateral move taken by Kosovo will lead to a series of consequences. China is deeply worried about its severe and negative impact on peace and stability of the Balkan region and the goal of establishing a multi-ethnic society in Kosovo. China calls upon Serbia and Kosovo to continue negotiations for a proper resolution within the framework of the international law and work together to safeguard peace and stability of the Balkan region. The international community should create favorable conditions for that". [3]

On 23 August 2009, the presidents of Serbia and China, Boris Tadić and Hu Jintao, signed a joint declaration on the establishment of strategic partnerships. In point VI this document reconfirms that China respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Serbia. It considers that the best way to resolve the Kosovo issue is to develop a plan that would be acceptable for both sides, through dialogue and negotiations between the Government of Serbia and Kosovo authorities, in accordance with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and relevant resolutions of UNSC, within international law. The declaration says that unilateral action will not contribute to resolving this issue, and that the international community should create favourable conditions for solving it. [4]

In December 2009, for the first time in its history, China entered a process before the ICJ.[ citation needed ] China backed the position of Serbia saying that sovereign states have a right to prevent unilateral secessions and protect their integrity. [5]

In August 2020, in an article for journal Napredak, then Chinese Ambassador to Serbia Chen Bo stated that "China respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Serbia", and that China is in favor of finding a mutually acceptable solution within United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244. [6]

Republic of China (Taiwan)

On 20 February 2008, the Republic of China (Taiwan) recognized Kosovo, despite the pressure from the PRC. [7]

See also

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The United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) is the officially mandated mission of the United Nations in Kosovo. The UNMIK describes its mandate as being to "help the United Nations Security Council achieve an overall objective, namely, to ensure conditions for a peaceful and normal life for all inhabitants of Kosovo and advance regional stability in the Western Balkans."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244</span> 1999 resolution establishing Kosovos UNMIK

United Nations Security Council resolution 1244, adopted on 10 June 1999, after recalling resolutions 1160 (1998), 1199 (1998), 1203 (1998) and 1239 (1999), authorised an international civil and military presence in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and established the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK). It followed an agreement by Yugoslav President Slobodan Milošević to terms proposed by President of Finland Martti Ahtisaari and former Prime Minister of Russia Viktor Chernomyrdin on 8 June, involving withdrawal of all Yugoslav state forces from Kosovo.

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The 2008 Kosovo declaration of independence, which proclaimed the Republic of Kosovo to be a state independent from Serbia, was adopted at a meeting held on 17 February 2008 by 109 out of the 120 members of the Assembly of Kosovo, including the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Hashim Thaçi, and by the President of Kosovo, Fatmir Sejdiu. It was the second declaration of independence by Kosovo's Albanian-majority political institutions; the first was proclaimed on 7 September 1990.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Russia's reaction to the 2008 Kosovo declaration of independence</span>

Kosovo's declaration of independence from Serbia was enacted on Sunday, 17 February 2008 by a unanimous vote of the Assembly of Kosovo. All 11 representatives of the Serb minority boycotted the proceedings. International reaction was mixed, and the world community continues to be divided on the issue of the international recognition of Kosovo. The Russian Federation’s reaction to the 2008 Kosovo Declaration of Independence is one of strong opposition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Egypt–Kosovo relations</span> Bilateral relations

Egyptian–Kosovan relations are foreign relations between Egypt and Kosovo.

Kosovo's declaration of independence from Serbia was enacted on Sunday, 17 February 2008 by a unanimous vote of the Assembly of Kosovo. All 11 representatives of the Serb minority boycotted the proceedings. International reaction was mixed, and the world community continues to be divided on the issue of the international recognition of Kosovo.

Kosovo's declaration of independence from Serbia was enacted on Sunday, 17 February 2008 by a unanimous vote of the Assembly of Kosovo. All 11 representatives of the Serb minority boycotted the proceedings. International reaction was mixed, and the world community continues to be divided on the issue of the international recognition of Kosovo. India's reaction to the 2008 Kosovo declaration of independence is one of non-recognition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brazil–Serbia relations</span> Bilateral relations

Relations between Serbia and Brazil have been very strong and well built since 1946 when relations were established between the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and Brazil. Brazil does not recognize Kosovo as an independent state and has announced it has no plans to do so without an agreement with Serbia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Catalan declaration of independence</span> Unrecognised declaration of independence (2017)

The Catalan declaration of independence was a resolution that was passed by the Parliament of Catalonia on 27 October 2017. While the text proclaims the independence of Catalonia from Spain and the establishment of an independent Catalan Republic, the declaration itself did not receive recognition from the international community and it produced no legal effect.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Argentina–Kosovo relations</span> Bilateral relations

Argentinian–Kosovar relations are foreign relations between Argentina and Kosovo. Formal diplomatic relations between two states are non-existent as Argentina does not recognize Kosovo as a sovereign state.

In February 2008, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko wrote in a letter to Serbian President Boris Tadić that "Belarus expresses its solidarity with the Serbians' intention to defend their sovereignty and territorial integrity". The National Assembly of Belarus had issued a statement condemning the declaration of independence and encouraged all nations to call the move "illegal" under international law.

Brazilian–Kosovar relations are foreign relations between Brazil and Kosovo.

China and Kosovo do not have formal diplomatic relations as China does not recognize Kosovo as a sovereign state. However, China has a liaison office in Kosovo, and trade ties are increasing.

References

  1. Kosovo MPs proclaim independence, BBC, 2008-02-17
  2. Transkript: Nga Seanca Plenare e Jashtëzakonshme Solemne e Kuvendit Të Kosovës Me Rastin e Shpalljes Së Pavarësisë, Të Mbajtur Më 17 Shkurt 2008 Archived 2008-10-28 at the Wayback Machine , Republic of Kosovo Assembly, 2008-02-17 (in Albanian)
  3. Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Liu Jianchao's Remarks on Kosovo's Unilateral Declaration of Independence, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China, 2008-02 -18
  4. Zajednička izjava Srbije i Kine, Vreme, 2009-08-20 (in Serbian)
  5. China: Kosovo declaration violates intl. law Archived 10 April 2010 at the Wayback Machine , B92, 2009-12-07
  6. ""Solve Kosovo and Metohija issue within Resolution 1244, China supports agreement through dialogue"". Telegraf.tv. 2020-08-10. Retrieved 2024-01-30.
  7. "Taiwan recognizes Kosovo in move likely to anger China". Reuters. 20 February 2008.